Thacholi Othenan
Encyclopedia
Thacholi Meppayil Kunjhu Othenan or Mepayil Tacholi Manikoth Kovilakathu Kunji Othena Kurup (Udayana Kurup of Thacholi Manikoth House) or more popularly Thacholi Othenan was a legendary hero who is believed to have lived during 16th century in North Malabar
region of Kerala
, India. He is praised about in Vadakkanpattu (ballads of North Malabar
).
Othenan was born into the Royal Family of Manikoth Kovilakom, a Padakurup (Sub division of Kurup
of Nair
Caste of Kiriyathil) in Thacholi near Vatakara
. The Family is one of the 30 Koottams of Kurumbranad Royal Family called as Kurumbra Swaroopam or Kurumbiathiri. The Capital of the Kingdom was at Vatakara. (His father, Kotakkad Kovilakath Puthuppanathu Mooppil Vazhunnor was a Desavazhi of a small fiefdom) a small town in Kerala. He practised Kalarippayattu
(ancient martial art form of kerala) from a very young age and grew up to be an extraordinarily brave and skilled warrior. Legends portray him as being a merciless opponent to enemies and a friend to the helpless. Even the powerful Zamorin of History of Kozhikode respected him. Mathiloor Gurukkal was his trainer, while Kandachery Chappan was his best companion.The legendary Thacholi Chandu
was his nephew. A famous temple in Vatakra named Lokanarkavu Temple
is considered to be the family temple of Othenan.
Othenan beheaded Chindan Nambiar, who was regarded at that time as the best warrior in entire North Malabar
, with the help of a martial art technique known as Poozhikkadakan learned from his colleague Payyamvelli Chanthu. He also killed a number of other very prominent warriors such as Punnora Kelappan and Puramala Nambi Kurup. He defeated Kadhirur Gurukkal in ankam
(duel/war) and killed him. But one of the Gurukkal’s
disciples (Parunthunkal Emman Panicker) arranged a Moplah
mercenary (Mayin Kutty) who killed Othenan through treachery at the young age of 32. The legend says that Othenan was shot while he was walking home through a rice field.
The Northern Ballads or the Vadakkan Pattukal extol the adventures of brave men and women, set against a feudal and medieval background, the stories celebrate the valour and skills of the renowned characters. The Vadakkan Pattukal reflect the peak of Kerala folk-poetry. These ballads are associated with North Malabar
. The movie Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha
capitalised on the popularity of these stories.
Thacholi Ambadi
, another renowned martial arts expert, is Othenan's son.
North Malabar
North Malabar , is a historic as well as geographic distinction in India used to refer the area covering; present Kasaragod and Kannur Districts, Mananthavady taluk of Wayanad District and Koyilandy & Vatakara taluks of Kozhikode District in modern Kerala and the entire Mahé sub-Division of...
region of Kerala
Kerala
or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
, India. He is praised about in Vadakkanpattu (ballads of North Malabar
North Malabar
North Malabar , is a historic as well as geographic distinction in India used to refer the area covering; present Kasaragod and Kannur Districts, Mananthavady taluk of Wayanad District and Koyilandy & Vatakara taluks of Kozhikode District in modern Kerala and the entire Mahé sub-Division of...
).
Othenan was born into the Royal Family of Manikoth Kovilakom, a Padakurup (Sub division of Kurup
Kurup
Kurup is an occupational title among the Nairs of Kerala, India. They served as warriors, generals and warlords to kings. It was also a honorific hereditary title dignifying certain Kshatriya clans of Kiryathil Nairs in the Malabar regions...
of Nair
Nair
Nair , also known as Nayar , refers to "not a unitary group but a named category of castes", which historically embody several castes and many subdivisions, not all of whom bore the Nair title. These people historically live in the present-day Indian state of Kerala...
Caste of Kiriyathil) in Thacholi near Vatakara
Vatakara
Vatakara is a coastal Municipality in Kozhikode district of Kerala, a South Indian state, spread over an area of 23.33 km2. It is the headquarters of Vatakara taluk. This place is erstwhile Kadathanadu and was part of North Malabar province of Malabar District in Madras State during British...
. The Family is one of the 30 Koottams of Kurumbranad Royal Family called as Kurumbra Swaroopam or Kurumbiathiri. The Capital of the Kingdom was at Vatakara. (His father, Kotakkad Kovilakath Puthuppanathu Mooppil Vazhunnor was a Desavazhi of a small fiefdom) a small town in Kerala. He practised Kalarippayattu
Kalarippayattu
Kalaripayattu is a southern Indian martial art originating in Tamil Nadu but also practiced in contiguous parts of Kerala and Karnataka.Kalari payat includes strikes, kicks, grappling, preset forms, weaponry and healing methods...
(ancient martial art form of kerala) from a very young age and grew up to be an extraordinarily brave and skilled warrior. Legends portray him as being a merciless opponent to enemies and a friend to the helpless. Even the powerful Zamorin of History of Kozhikode respected him. Mathiloor Gurukkal was his trainer, while Kandachery Chappan was his best companion.The legendary Thacholi Chandu
Thacholi Chandu
Thacholi Chandu was a legendary hero who is believed to have lived during 16th century in North Malabar region of Kerala, India. He is praised about in Vadakkan Pattukal . He is the nephew of legendary Thacholi Othenan. Chandu was married to Thayattu Madathu Mattu Kutti.-Story of Thulunadan...
was his nephew. A famous temple in Vatakra named Lokanarkavu Temple
Lokanarkavu temple
Lokanarkavu Temple is situated at Memunda 5 km from Vatakara, in North Malabar region of Kerala state of south India. Lokanarkavu is a short form of Lokamalayarkavu which means lokam made of mala , aaru and kavu...
is considered to be the family temple of Othenan.
Othenan beheaded Chindan Nambiar, who was regarded at that time as the best warrior in entire North Malabar
North Malabar
North Malabar , is a historic as well as geographic distinction in India used to refer the area covering; present Kasaragod and Kannur Districts, Mananthavady taluk of Wayanad District and Koyilandy & Vatakara taluks of Kozhikode District in modern Kerala and the entire Mahé sub-Division of...
, with the help of a martial art technique known as Poozhikkadakan learned from his colleague Payyamvelli Chanthu. He also killed a number of other very prominent warriors such as Punnora Kelappan and Puramala Nambi Kurup. He defeated Kadhirur Gurukkal in ankam
Ankam
Ankam means "combat" in the Malayalam language.* Organised single combat between two Ankachekavars. Centuries ago in Kerala, south India, quarrels between local rulers were resolved by fixing an Ankam, or duel, between two Ankachekavars, each ruler being represented by one Ankachekavar...
(duel/war) and killed him. But one of the Gurukkal’s
Gurukkal
See different meaning for the word Gurukkal.*Gurukkal Brahmins - A sub-sect of Vadamas not recognized as one amongst them and whose duties are to worship at Temples....
disciples (Parunthunkal Emman Panicker) arranged a Moplah
Moplah
Moplah may refer to:* Mappila, an ancient Muslim community in Malabar, Kerala state, present day India* Moplah Riots, a series of revolts and attacks by Mappilas against Hindu landlords and British government officials...
mercenary (Mayin Kutty) who killed Othenan through treachery at the young age of 32. The legend says that Othenan was shot while he was walking home through a rice field.
The Northern Ballads or the Vadakkan Pattukal extol the adventures of brave men and women, set against a feudal and medieval background, the stories celebrate the valour and skills of the renowned characters. The Vadakkan Pattukal reflect the peak of Kerala folk-poetry. These ballads are associated with North Malabar
North Malabar
North Malabar , is a historic as well as geographic distinction in India used to refer the area covering; present Kasaragod and Kannur Districts, Mananthavady taluk of Wayanad District and Koyilandy & Vatakara taluks of Kozhikode District in modern Kerala and the entire Mahé sub-Division of...
. The movie Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha
Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha
Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha is a 1989 Malayalam film directed by Hariharan, written by M. T. Vasudevan Nair, and starring Mammootty, Balan K. Nair, Suresh Gopi, Madhavi, Geetha, and Captain Raju.The film is based on a legend about the famous Chekavar warriors of present day northern Kerala...
capitalised on the popularity of these stories.
Thacholi Ambadi
Thacholi Ambadi
Thacholi Meppayil Ambadi, or better known as Kadathanadan Ambadi, was a character in the vattakanpattu. who is believed to have lived during 16th century in North Malabar region of Kerala, India. He was the son of the legendary Kalarippayattu practitioner Thacholi Othenan....
, another renowned martial arts expert, is Othenan's son.